Extension-table.



J. MOHR.

EXTENSION TABLE. APPLIUATION :FILED MAY 23, 1910,

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. MOHR.

EXTENSION TABLE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 2s, 1910.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@www 2.35%@ m mw .vf

J ULIITS MOHR, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

Original application filed May 20, 1909,- Serial No. 497,261.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, JULIUs Morin, a. subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, residing at Milwaukee, Visconsin, have invented an Extension-Table, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to tables of the folding or extension type., whereina table is made longer or shorter according to the wishes of the user as the demand for same may arise, the table being made up of two main members which may be pushed to-' gether closely or separated to a greater or less, extent, and the space between them when so extended being taken up by one or more removable leaves.

The object of my present invent-ion is to provide a locking device which will automatically lock the table together with any desired number of leaves in place therein, but can be released at once by a movement of the hand when it .is desired to change the number of leaves.

My locking-device in its preferred form acts purely by gravity and without the use of springs, whereby it can be manufactured more cheaply and with less need for repairs. However, l may provide an attachment herein disclosed whereby the device will not unlock of its own accord even when the table is tilted or turned upside down.

In its original form, since improved, my locking-device was described and claimed in connection with my copendingUnited States patent application No. 197,261 filed May 20, 1909, in connection with my improved extension-table, but it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to any ex` tension-table when provided with suitable mountings.

r1`he nature of my invention will best be understood from a consideration of the following detailed description thereof, t-aken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 is a plan-view of a table with the top-boards partly broken away, provided wit-h my locking-device; the left-hand half of the table being shown collapsed and the right-hand half fully extended; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same taken on the plane 2, the legs being partly bro-ken away; Fig. 3 is a front elevation on an enlarged scale, from the inner side, of

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913. Divided and this applcationled May 23,

Serial No. 562,872.

the parts mounted on the end-board of each end of the table, the lock-rod being shown in cross-section; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the same on the axis of the lock-rod, the latter being shown in elevation; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section t-hrough the upper portion of the table on the axis of thelock-rod, the latter with mountings being shown in elevation; Fig. 6 is 4a front-view of the locking-block or fixed element of the locking-device, the lockrod being shown sectionally n situ; Fig. 't' is av plan-view of the locking-block; Figs. 8 and 9 are longitudinal sections therethrough on the pla-nes 8 and 9 respectively of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a perspective'view of the same; Fig. 11 is a front-view of an alternative mounting for the end of the lock-rod and manipulating handle therefor; Fig. 12 is a side-elevation thereof, the table endboard being shown in section; Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section of another alternative form of mounting and manipulating handle with the end of the lock-rod, the latter and handle being shown in elevation; Fig. 14 is a front view thereof from the outer side of the end-board; Fig. 15 may represent either the endview of the mounting shown in Figs. 11 and 12 or a transverse section on the plane 15 of the mounting shown in Figs. 13 and 14; and Fig. 16 is a fragmental crosssection of one of the table leaves and central frame on the plane 16 of Fig. 1, the leaf being shown in central position.

In these drawings every reference numeral and letter refers to the same part in each figure,

he table as here shown for purposes of illustration comprises end-members A which are connected together in slidable relation with the rectangular center-frame B by means of a plurality of extension slides C. Extension-leaves D varying in number with the desired length of t-he table, may be inserted by drawing out one or both end-members from the central frame. Each of the end-members may comprise a top-board a, side-boards a2 to which are secar-ed two of the slides C, an end-board a3 and a crossp'lank a, to which are secured a pair of legs ai; and similarly the center-frame B may be provided with one or more cross-planks b2, upon the middle one of which is mounted the center-leg b3. lf the center-leg were to be omitted, it would suffice for the purpose of my invention to omit one set of slides and secure the frame B permanently to one of the end-members A; in which case Fig. l may, with the above-named omissions represent the table as pulled completely out instead of only on one side. y

My invention comprises, as herepshown, a lock-rod P. one end of which is pivoted in a bearing-box Q mounted upon the endboard z5 of the table. @n this end the lockrod carries an operating-handle or arm; and said handle or arm may be mounted either on the inside of the end-board, as in Figs. 3 and ll, or upon the outside, as in Fig. 13. I will iirst describe the inside-mounting of Figs. 3 and 4l, in which a recess as is mortised out from the inner side of the endboard in order to enable the lock-rod mountings to set flush with the inner face of the end-board, whereby greater compactness and therefore a greater extension ratio of the table is secured; this however, is a minor mater. The bearing-box Q is, as shown, set flush in this recess, having screws Q by which it is secured tothe end-board. The lock-rod P projects through the bore thereof and is secured against pulling out by suitable means suoli as a washer p and pin p21; and on the opposite side of the bearing-box is a manipulating handle R, said handle being provided with a handle-end i" on one side of the pivot and a counter-weight r2 on the other side, the latter being of suiiicient weight to over-balance the handle-end and turn the lock-rod up tight, as will be presently described. Said handle R is secured to the lock-rod by a key or pin p3. The other end of the rod passes through the locking-block S,which is set in a hole in the end-board of the frame B (see Figs. 4 and 5). Said locking-block has screw-ears s' or other means of' attachment to the endboard of the frame B, and a cylindrical bore s2 fitting the rod P and forming a journalbearing therefor, and on opposite sides of this bore is a pair of grooves or recesses s3 adapted to pass any one of a number of pins p4 which are set diainetrically upon the rod P in position corresponding to the several extensions of the table. The angle at which these pins are set upon the rod is such that they will register with the grooves a when the lock-rod P has been turned by the operating handle R into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, in which the weighted end 'r2 is raised; so that in normal position, said pins will not register with the grooves To prevent the rod from being pulled completely out a washer 295 may be mounted on the free end thereof, backed by a crosspin 7), and if the lock-rod is so thin in proportion to its length that it tends to sag or droop, it may be supported by cross-planks o2 placed at intervals of the frame B and :tain angle tends to draw jinto position, and thereby compensate any slight irregularity in the width of the leaves ,or the setting of the pins on the rod. It ,will loe observed that as shownin Figs. 8 iand 9, the recesses s are narrowed to the having rounded or beveled grooves Z2" cut therein to hold the rod so that the pins 214 and washer p5 cannot catch upon their edges.

@n the inner face of the locking-block S, on one or both sides of the recesses sa, are formed oblique cam-faces s* and S5 (see Figs. 5, i, 8 and 10) which are engaged by any of the pins p4 after it has passed through the recesses s3 from the outside and is then rotated; so that by properly placing of such pin p4 the rotation of the rod through a certhe table up tightly size of theprotruding ends of the pin 294 at Ethe cam-face of the block S, but that inside the bore the sides of the grooves diverge obliquely, forming helicoidal cam-faces s, Now the action of the locking-rod in locking the table at any given, extension, as thus far described, is as follows: Supposing the ktable be in closed position and it be desired 5to insert a leaf` or one more leaf than is in it, the handle R is first pulled down into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. .This brings the pins p4 on the rod into register with the grooves sa in the locking-block, so that the table can be pulled out to any desired extent, whereupon the handle is released and falls back into the full line position or somewhat farther until it is brought `to a stop by a stop-pin (72 engaging with a shoulder 113, or other suitable device. The leaf or leaves are now inserted in the table, and the latter' pushed together again. In pushing the table together, each pin 294 as it reaches the block S will first strike the helicoidal cam-surfaces s thereof and be thereby turned into registering position so that it will easily pass through the block. If such pin is the one corresponding to the eXtension with the given numberl o-f leaves, then when the table is pushed up tight, the pin is in position to engage the cam-surfaces s4, and the weighted end r2 of the handle will now rotate the rod P, until the table is drawn up tight and will so hold it, as the cam-surfaces are of insufficient Obliquity to allow it to be rotated backward by pulling out on the table.

As thus far described the device is operative while the table is upright, but should the table be tilted or turned upside down, as in carrying from one room to another or in shipping, the lock-rod would become unlocked by the rotation of the handle R by gravity. To prevent this I provide a locking-pawl T, which is pivotally mountedv upon a screw or pin t mounted on the face of the bearing-block Q and has two legs t2 and t3 straddling the hub of the handle R. The leg t2 is cut away at the back and its fio projecting end, when the pawl hangs centrally as shown in the drawing, is in position to enter a recessr* on the corresponding side of the counterweight r2; while the other leg t3 has a shoulder t* which is adapted to engage a coacting shoulder fr5 on the hub of the handle. The shoulder t4, however, clears the shoulder 15 when the pawl hangs centrally, and only engages it when it is tilted toward it.

So long as the table stands upright, the pawl T hangs cent-rally, and does not interfere with the movement of the handle R, but should the table be tilted or reversed, the pawl T will fall toward one side o-r the other, and in doing so either the leg t2 will engage the upper face of the counterweight r2 at r6, or on the other side the shoulder t3 will engage the shoulder 715, and in either case the operating handle is prevented from turning into the unlocking position. It will be clear also that the engaging shoulders 75 and 4 may be omitted, as in this case the leg t2 will lock the handle R by engaging with the counterweight r2 on the opposite side of the recess r4 at r?. The same principle may be embodied in a great number of similar mechanical devices, and I do not therefore consider my invention limited to this specific form.

Instead of the counterweighted pull-down handle of Figs. 3 and 4, I may use a pushup handle R as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which is also shown as mounted o-n the inside of the end-board a3 in a recess af upon a journal-block Q. The inner side of this j ournal-block may be provided with a shouldered notch g2, and a transverse pin p7 on theiend of the lock-rod engages the rear face of the journal-block within the notch g2 (see Fig. 15), the end of which limits the falling movement of the handle R.

Figs. 13 and 14 show a somewhat different style of manipulating device, the lock-rod P here passing through the end-board a3 and being journaled in the block Q2, which is set in a hole therein. On its protruding end the rod carries a handle R2, which has a swinging movement through an equal angle on each side of the vertical, being secured to the rod by a screw rs. The block Q2 on its inner face is also notched out at g3 to receive a pin 798, holding the rod against endwise movement and also limiting its angular movement. In this case the locking rotation of the rod can take place in either direction, the unlocking position being .the central position of t-he rod shown in dotted lines at R3, Fig. 14.

It will be observed that in Figs. 5 to 10 I have shown upon the cam-lugs on 'one side of the notches s3 oblique faces 85 which are much steeper than the cam-faces s4. As a matter of fact, where the handle locks in only one direction, the faces on one side only of the grooves S3 will come into action in the locking, and the others only by pulling out the table in case of any irregularity in the angular setting of the pins, to guide them into the grooves s3; therefore they are made steeper in order that the greater angle of rotation may be utilized for locking without unduly increasingthe inclination of the cam-surfaces s4. In a case like Figs. 13 and 14, where the lock-rod locks equally on either side of the recesses s3, the faces s4 and 85 are given the same inclination.

IVhile I have hereinabove described the preferred form of my invention, I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to any One of the particular features thereof, and I fully realize that it is capable of numerous modifications, and I consider such modiications and omissions may be made without departing from the principle of my invention.

Vhere two lock-rods are used, as in the drawings, to enable these to act independently an abutment-pin, or lug U is placed in the center of each side of the frame B, against which the leaf D on each side of the center rests, and the leaves may be recessed as at cZ, (Z2 to receive it. The recess d is used only where it is desired to extend the table symmetrically wit-h an odd number of leaves.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure b'y Let.- ters Patent is: 1. In an extension-table, in combination with an end-piece and a member having a sliding relation therewith, a locking-rod mounted on one of said members with its aXis in the direction of the sliding-movement and having a projection at one point thereof corresponding to a position of eX- tension at which the two members are to be locked, there being a hole in the other member through which said rod passes and a recess at one side of said hole through which said projection is adapted to pass when said rod is at a certain angle; the edges of said recess being widened out on the outer end of said hole so as to strike said projection laterally and move it into the position in which it can pass through said recess as the members are pushed together, and said projection being adapted to engage over the edge of said hole as it reaches the inner side and is turned out of engagement with said recess to prevent the members from being pulled out, and means for normally holding said rod in the angular position of engagement.

2. In an extension-table, in combination with an end-piece and a member having a sliding relation therewith, a locking-rod mounted on one of said members with its axis in the direction of the sliding-move-- ment and having a projection at one point thereof corresponding to a position of eX- tension at which the tivo members are to be locked, there being a hole on the other member through Which said rod passes and a recess at the side of said hole through which said projection is adapted to pass when said rod is at a certain angle; the edges of said recess being widened out on the outer end of said hole so as to strike said projection laterally and move it into the position in Which it can pass through said recess as the members are pushed together, and said projection being adapted to engage over the edge of said hole as it reaches the inner side and is turned out of engagement With said recess to prevent the members from being pulled out, and a Weighted operating-handle adapted to be moved to rotate said rod into the releasing position and the Weight of Which is positioned to rotate said rod into and hold it in the engaging position when said handle is released.

3. In an extension-table, in combination with an end-piece and a member having a sliding relation therewith, of a locking-rod mounted on one of said members with its axis in the direction of the sliding-movement and having a projection at one -point thereof corresponding to a position of ex tension at which the two members are to be locked, there being a hole in the other member through which said rod passes and a recess atthe side of said hole through which said projection is adapted to pass when said rod is at a certain angle, and a gravitating# device to engage the locking-device when the table is tilted and prevent it from becoming unlocked.

4l. In an extension-table, the combination of two members having an extensible relation one with the other and a locking-element mounted on one of said members and connected with the other and maintaining itself normally in locked position; said locking-element having means for limiting the extension of the tivo members; and a gravity-operated device engaging said locking element when the table is tilted and thereby preventing it from becoming unlocked.

5. Inr an extension-table, the combination ot' two members having` an extensible relation one with the other and a locking-element mounted on one of said members and connected with the other and maintaining itselt normally in locked position; said locking-element having means Jforlimiting the extension of the tivo members, but permitting their being moved together; and a gravity-operated device engaging said locking-element when the table is tilted and thereby preventing it from becoming unlocked.

G. In an extension-table, in combination With a locking-device adapted to lock the table in an extension corresponding to any desired number of leaves, actuating means for said locking-device, and a gravity-operated attachment coperating With and acting to lock said locking-device when the table is tilted and leave it Jfree When the table is upright.

7. In an extension-table, the combination with a rotatable locking-device normally holding t-he table locked, of a gravity-0perated paivl adapted to engage said lockingdevice ivhen the table is tilted and thereby prevent it from becoming unlocked.

8. In an extension-table, in combination with a gravity-operated locking-device normally holding the table locked in position in an extension corresponding to the desired number ot' leaves, gravity-operated means acting when the table is tilted to lock said locking-device and thereby prevent the table Jfrom becoming unlocked.

9. In an extension-table, in combination with a rotatable lock-rod, means coacting with said lock-rod to lock the table in one angular position of said lock-rod and to release it in another angular position thereof, gravity-operated means for holding said lock-rod normally in the locked posit-ion, and means actuated by the tilting of the table for positively holding said rod in said position when tilted.

10. In an extension-table, in combination with a rotatable lock-rod, means coacting With said lock-rod to lock the table in one angular position ot said lock-rod and to release it in another angular position thereof, gravity-operated means tor holding said lock-rod normally in the locked position, and means actuated automatically by the tilting of the table to lock said rod against rotation into the unlocked position.

11. In an extension-table, in combination With a rotatable lock-rod, means coacting with said lock-rod to lock the table Ain one angular position of said lock-rod and to release it in another angular position thereof, gravity-operated means for holding said lock-rod normally in the locked position, and a gravity-operated pawl coacting with one or more shoulders carried by said lockrod to prevent the same from rotating int-o unlocking position when the table is tilted by leaving it tree to be so rotated When the table is upright.

12. In an extension-table, the combination ot an end-piece and a member having a sliding relation therewith, of a locking device comprising a pivotally mounted rod, a guide therefor, an actuating handle on said rod having a shoulder and a recess on opposite sides of the rod, and a gravitating paivl mounted independently of said rod and adapted for cooperation With said shoulder and recess.

13. In an extension table, the combination of :in end-piece and a member having :L sliding relation therewith, of a pivotally mounted rod; a guide therefor, an actuating han dle on said rod having a shoulder and a recess on opposite sides of the' rod, and a gravitating pawl mounted independently of said rod and adapted for coperation with said shoulder and recess, said operating handle having an additional shoulder, and a Xed pin disposed between said shoulders. 10

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two Witnesses.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

